Cholesterol is a fatty substance known as a lipid that circulates in the blood of humans, as well as all other animals. It’s found in certain types of food, such as meat and dairy products, and it’s also manufactured by the body. Cholesterol is essential for maintaining the outer membrane of cells, but it can also be unhealthy in excessive amounts. High levels of cholesterol are strongly associated with atherosclerosis, a condition which the arteries become lined with fatty materials.

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Steps

Method 1 of 3: Take a Blood Sample

1

Get your blood cholesterol checked at regular intervals. Doctors normally advise patients with an average risk of heart disease to be tested every five years and patients with a higher risk to be tested more often.

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2

Fast before giving blood for a cholesterol test as directed by a physician. You will typically need to fast for 9 to 12 hours to allow your blood cholesterol levels to drop to their minimum values. A blood sample will typically go through many different tests besides just cholesterol.

3

Express the cholesterol level as the number of milligrams of cholesterol in a deciliter of blood (mg/dl). This unit of measure is commonly omitted in common usage so that a cholesterol level of 200 implies a concentration of 200 mg/dl.

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Method 2 of 3: Define the Cholesterol Types

1

Consider the total cholesterol level to be the concentration of all types of cholesterol in the blood. These types include High Density Lipoproteins (HDLs), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs) and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDLs). Triglycerides are a component of dietary fats and are commonly discussed in connection with cholesterol levels.

2

Look at the LDLs. They are thought to transport cholesterol from the liver to the other parts of the body through the bloodstream. LDLs are associated with an increased health risk and, therefore, are referred to as “bad cholesterol.”

3

Look at the HDLs. The HDLs transport cholesterol in the bloodstream back to the liver and reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. HDL is commonly called “good cholesterol”.

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Method 3 of 3: Interpret the Total Cholesterol Level

1

Consider lower total cholesterol levels to be generally more desirable. A cholesterol level that’s less than 200 mg/dl is ideal and a level in the range of 200 to 240 mg/dl indicates a borderline risk for heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol levels that are greater than 240 mg/dl are associated with a high risk of heart disease and stroke. However, physicians will also consider other factors when assessing the significance of the cholesterol level.

2

Assess the LDL level. A LDL level lower than 100 mg/dl is considered ideal. A level between 100 and 129 mg/dl is near optimal, 130 to 159 mg/dl is borderline high and 160 to 189 mg/dl is a high LDL level. A LDL level above 189 mg/dl is extremely high.

3

Examine the HDL level. An HDL level greater than 60 mg/dl is considered ideal. A level between 40 and 59 mg/dl has a borderline risk and an HDL level lower than 40 mg/dl carries a major risk of heart disease.

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Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. We will take your detailed information, edit it for clarity and accuracy, and incorporate it into an article that will help thousands of people.Don't say: Eat more fats.Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.